“I can have a go.”
She gave him a withering look.“Are you going to mansplain how to use an engine?”
He scowled.“I’ve been around a lot of boat engines.Maybe I can get it working.”
“I can’t let anyone who isn’t authorised touch the engine.I’ll call it in.Put out the anchor again.”She grabbed the two cases she needed and when Oliver returned, she handed them to him.
“What are you doing?”
“I might as well do some work while we’re waiting to be rescued.”
“I’m good with engines, Dot.Let me look.”
She gritted her teeth at his plea and shook her head, pocketing the key so he couldn’t get any ideas.“Find a spot in the shade.”She reached for the cases, but he didn’t let go.
He studied her, his expression intense.“Have you called it in?”
His attention to detail was one thing she had loved about him.“Will do so in a minute.”She tugged at the cases, their bodies so close she could feel his heat.She jerked hard, needing to distance herself from him, and he let one go.
“Why delay?”
Rodney would radio for an update any minute.She strode across the sand.“That’s none of your business.”
“It is if I’m stranded out here.”
Dot glanced at him, saw his concern.Guilt filled her.“Please, trust me.”
He met her gaze and nodded.“Always.”He fell in step with her.
Her breath caught in her lungs.Instant agreement, instant trust.She’d done nothing to deserve it this time around, but there it was.It shouldn’t matter so much.She swallowed hard as she increased her stride.She could obsess over it later.At the row of bushes, she stopped.“You need to stay here.”
Her radio crackled.“Dot, how far out are you?”Rodney.
“Ah, having a little engine trouble.Just getting Oliver to look over it.”She winced at the lie and shot Oliver an apologetic glance.“We’ll be on the way soon.”
“Bullshit.You’re disobeying my order.”
“The boat won’t start, Rodney.I’m fixing it as fast as I can.”
The furrow on Oliver’s forehead grew deeper.
“I’ll send someone to tow you.”
“Shouldn’t be needed.Give me another ten minutes.Sorry, I won’t catch you before your plane leaves.”She pictured him swearing, and it made her smile.
“What the hell is going on?”Oliver asked.
Dot sobered.“I can’t tell you, Oliver.”
“Is this about the drugs?”
She nodded.
“Is it some kind of power play?”
“No.”Why would he think that?“I need to process a crime scene.Stay here.”
“Don’t you need an eyewitness?An impartial observer or something?”
